Observances
of the Abrahamic Traditions
The Tent of Abraham
coalition
invites all people of faith to join us for these three events
Ramadan
Fast-Breaking (Iftar)
Ramadan
is the ninth month
of the Islamic lunar calendar. Ramadan is the month during which, in
the year 610 C.E., the first revelation of the Qur’an came to
Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.
Ramadan
is a month of
intensive devotion and worship. During the month’s twenty-nine or
thirty days, Muslims fast from just before dawn to sunset as a means
of spiritual discipline. Through controlling the two primary
physical desires during the daylight hours, focus is diverted from
the demands of the material sphere to the spiritual in order to
develop self-control. The fast is broken at sunset with a light
snack or water, followed by the fourth prayer of the day, which is
then followed by dinner.
We
are happy to have you
with us!
Shabbat Shuvah
Shabbat is the day of rest that is
observed weekly by Jews, from sunset on Friday through sunset on
Saturday. The High Holy Days are a set of holidays that occur
annually. Rosh Hashanah, literally “Head of the Year” is the two
day observance of beginning of the new year. The tenth day of
the year is Yom Kippur, a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection.
The ten day period, called the “Days of Awe,” follows a month of reflection on our lives and
relationships, and is an opportunity for “T'shuva”, or return to our
true selves.
The week between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, like every week of the
year, includes a Shabbat. This Shabbat is designated “Shabbat Shuva”, literally “Shabbat of Return”. Several of the
standard Shabbat prayers have additions or modifications for this day.
The Shabbat Shuva service on October 8 at Congregation Har Shalom will
begin with a study and discussion of the Torah, followed by a Shabbat
morning service.
World
Communion Sunday
World Communion Sunday, though not a
major holiday, is a special observance of Christians around the world
as “the body of Christ” and the solidarity they have with one another.
The sacrament involves the use of bread and wine, blessed by a priest
or minister and distributed to the congregation. Holy Communion is
celebrated by Christians both as a remembrance of the life and
teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and as a tangible reminder of the
continuing presence of Christ in our midst. Plymouth UCC celebrates
“open communion,” and all present are welcome to participate in the
sacrament if they wish.
Solar and Lunar Calendars
Why this Year is Special
Most Westerners are familiar with a solar calendar, based on the
365.25 day cycle of the Earth's orbit around the sun. A date in
this type of calendar is a precise position in relation to the sun, but
may fall anywhere in relation to the moon.
A lunar calendar is based on the 28.5 day cycle of the moon's orbit
around the Earth. A date in this type of calendar is a precise
position in relation to the moon, but may fall anywhere in
relation to the sun.. The Islamic calendar is a lunar
calendar. That is why the (solar) time of Ramadan changes each
year.
The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar with solar adjustments.
Five of every nineteen years are designated as a leap year, and have a
thirteenth month added. This gives a date within the Jewish
calendar with a precise position in relation to the moon,
and general, but less precise position in relation to the
sun.
This year the Islamic month of Ramadan and the Jewish month of Tishrei
coincide, and both coincide approximately with the Christian month of
October.
Abrahamic Traditions
Three major world-wide religions all trace their roots to the
prophet Abraham. Islam is derived through Abraham and Hagar and
their son Ishmael. Judaism is derived through Abraham and Sarah
and their son Isaac. Christianity is derived through Judaism.